Willow Oak, FL

Polk County Code of Ordinances Chapter 10.5, Article IV (Noise Disturbance), adopted via Ord. 14-030, restricts unreasonable noise. Construction noise is permitted between 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM.

Under the Polk County Land Development Code, residential fences up to eight feet are generally allowed without special review. Solid fences over eight feet require a building permit and engineering review.

Polk County Code of Ordinances Chapter 7, Article IV (Section 7-65) generally prohibits the sale, retail offering, use, or explosion of fireworks within the county except as permitted by Florida Statute Chapter 791. Florida Senate Bill 140 (2020), codified at F.S. 791.08, legalizes consumer fireworks statewide on three holidays: July 4 (Independence Day), December 31 (New Year's Eve), and January 1 (New Year's Day). Polk County cannot prohibit consumer fireworks on these dates. Outside those holidays, only sparklers and novelties from F.S. 791.01(8) approved lists are legal without a permit; aerial and explosive consumer fireworks require a state-permitted public display under F.S. 791.02.

Polk County follows the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (F.S. Chapter 515) and the Florida Building Code. Residential pools must have at least one approved safety feature: a barrier (fence or screen enclosure) at least 4 feet high meeting F.S. 515.29, an ASTM F1346 safety pool cover, exit alarms on all home doors/windows accessing the pool (minimum 85 dB at 10 feet), self-closing/self-latching home doors with the release at least 54 inches above the floor, or an ASTM F2208 pool alarm. Final building inspection requires compliance with one of these options.

Unincorporated Polk County permits one detached accessory dwelling unit per single-family residential lot under Ordinance No. 25-018 (adopted 2025), subject to Land Development Code (LDC) standards. The ADU cannot exceed 50% of the principal dwelling's heated floor area, must be located in the side or rear yard (not forward of the principal building line), must meet the Florida Building Code, and is prohibited from short-term/vacation rental use. Long-term rentals of 30 days or more are permitted. Polk County is below the 75,000-population threshold of F.S. 163.31771, so Florida's statewide ADU mandate does not preempt local rules.

Polk County Animal Control Ordinance 18-068 (Code Chapter 4, Article II) prohibits dogs from running at large. Owners must keep dogs under direct control by leash, fence, or trained voice command.

Polk County administers a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Community Rating System (CRS). Polk County holds a Class 6 CRS rating, earning a 20% flood insurance premium discount for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). New residential construction and substantially improved buildings in SFHAs must be elevated at least one foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). The 50% Rule (Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage) requires full code compliance when cumulative improvements or repairs equal or exceed 50% of the structure's market value.